Role Summary/Purpose:
Located within the Programs Department at SAMS Headquarters and working closely with Country Offices, the Senior Program Officer is responsible for supporting program development, as well as day-to-day program administration, which includes donor reporting, compliance with donor regulations, and remote monitoring of programs in Syria and other countries where SAMS currently operates (Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Greece, United States). The Senior Program Officer also supports efforts to strengthen program quality related to protection mainstreaming and inclusion of vulnerable populations – through participation in monitoring and evaluation processes, program strategy review, and proposal development. As needed, the Senior Program Officer travels to Country Offices to provide backstopping support in program monitoring and implementation.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development
- Lead development and submission of concept notes and proposals to private and institutional donors
- Participate in review and development of annual Business Development and Operational Plans, working closely with colleagues in Country Offices and HQ Programs
- Support Country Offices in positioning with potential donors/partners
- Coordinate development of needs assessment and evaluation tools, together with technical leads at the HQ and Country Office levels
- Represent SAMS at meetings with existing and potential donors and coordinate follow-up actions within SAMS to build and maintain these relationships
- Review and edit specific sections/annexes of proposals and provide support for proposal submission, as assigned.
- Participate in after-action reviews after proposals are submitted, to improve efficiency of internal processes and quality of proposal submissions
Program Administration
- Coordinate new grant-funded program start-up (kickoff meeting, compliance tracker, etc.) in coordination with Programs and Operations colleagues in Country Offices and Headquarters, ensuring that Country Offices have all of the necessary knowledge and tools required to manage programs, in compliance with donor regulations
- Monitor project progress through monthly and quarterly review of internal project management tools – indicator tracking tables, M&E reporting, work plans, compliance trackers, etc.
- Liaise with existing donors of grant-funded programs, providing them regular updates on project progress
- Lead review and submission of required donor narrative reporting
- Coordinate review and submission of donor financial and inventory reports, with Country Offices and HQ Finance
- Ensure close-out checklists are completed and filed for each award
- Support Country Offices in management and monitoring of partners (grantees and sub-grantees), including review of reports and participation in progress review meetings, as well as support for delivery of capacity-building for partners.
- Support HQ and Country Offices in preparation for internal/external audits
Maintain complete and accurate filing system for all active, closed grants, and proposals submitted by HQ and country officers.
Compliance
- Support country offices in partner/sub-grantee selection process, through review of pre-award self-assessments and organizational capacity assessments;
- Participate in review of incoming and outgoing grant agreements, partner agreements, modifications, MOUs, and pre-award letters, as needed
- Promote compliance with Grants Management manual and support country offices to strengthen internal controls and risk mitigation mechanisms related to grant management, safeguarding, HR, finance, security and procurement
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Desired Education and Essential Skills
- University/Baccalaureate degree in related field required. Masters or Advanced Degree preferred.
- At least four years of relevant work experience – preferably with international NGOs and/or community-based organizations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including drafting project proposals and reports.
- Ability to review and monitor budgets (as part of proposals or program management tools), and financial reporting
- In-depth knowledge of 2 CFR 200 and experience with regulations of major donor agencies such as USAID, U.S. Department of State, EU, FCDO preferred.
- Ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with fellow staff members, visitors, partner institutions including international and local NGOs, governmental entities, support organizations, and the general public
- A multi-tasker with strong ability to work under pressure
- Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to maintain a rapid and demanding pace of work
- Ability to perform in cross-functional team approach
- Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results on time with attention to detail.
- Proficient in using computers with related knowledge of software programs and Internet.
- Knowledge of the Arabic language and/or the Middle East region is desired but not required.
- Prior experience with health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), gender-based violence, and/or medical education programs is desired, but not required.
Note, strong preference will be given to US-based applicants with existing authorization to work in the United States. If candidates do not meet this requirement and still wish to be considered, please state this in the application cover letter.
Tasks associated with this position can and will be done remotely for the foreseeable future, for candidates that are not based in Washington, D.C. – the location of SAMS Headquarters.
